A somewhat far-fetched book mainly set in Balmoral Castle with Alice, a rather spoilt, impetuous and naive minor royal being banished there for the summer. I couldn't really empathise with her but the other characters were well depicted and likeable. Atmospheric descriptions of the Scottish Highlands and a taste of the upstairs-downstairs life of privilege. I did like the way Alice tackled her obvious mental health issues of loneliness and the way she took on board some reality checks. A light enough read with a fun element.

I’m so pleased I was able to read this book, Megan has a way of writing that is enjoyable and comical while touching on tough topics.

I enjoyed the story and loved the setting in Scotland at Balmoral, the idea of being banished to the Highlands is on my wish list 😂 the romance was lovely, I would have loved to see this build more and show a deeper side of their relationship.

Nothing not to love in a regally set romance!
Whilst the book ticks every item on the trope list (exactly as you want when choosing a book of this nature) it does so with real humour, great observation and fantastic characters!
Finished it in a sitting, would read it again, perhaps by a loch next time!

3.5🌟
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read the other Megan Clawson books so when I saw this one was coming out I was looking forward to reading it and being whisked away to that other world with all the cute rom com moments and all. However, this one didn't hit the mark as much for me. Don't get me wrong, it's still a good story but it didn't have my swinging my legs from the cuteness or vying for the 2 main characters to end up together as much. Personally, I would've loved to see more romantic/cute scenes as I feel that would've built their whole relationship further and made me feel more attached to the characters.

That being said, there is a strong dialogue throughout this book about mental health, in particular, depression. I appreciate how this was done and the message that was portrayed through the character with depression, as it was honest and tasteful. There were also strong themes of friendship and putting yourself first/getting to a place where you're happy with yourself.

Overall, a good book but doesn't compare to the other 2 for me!

Firstly thank you the Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC. I really enjoyed Regally Blonde, I took me I many directions I wasn't expecting. We meet Alice who is part of the royal family, She has a turbulent start and is sent to Scotland. The story focuses on Alice's journey through finding herself and covers her mental health. There are unexpected turns in this boom, but the journey is definitely worth it. I recommend this book.

** spoiler alert ** I received this ARC through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. This was my first book by this author and think I will need to read a few others to fully appreciate her style. I personally found the book very disjointed and it wasn’t the easiest (or most believable) story to follow along. For starters, the drastic banishment for Scotland by her parents and no attempts by anyone - including friends and boyfriend - to check in was just bizarre. The character development for many was severely lacking and/or hot and cold. There were many times when I just wanted to put the book down. I mean, the whole “escape” to the board meeting, despite never even hearing from Atticus about it or inquiring about a speech (which, why even include this piece in the book?), and then the bizarre alternative proposal?! It was just all too odd and unbelievable, in my opinion. And then there is Fraser. Dude, he decided not to take another job because of a few loose encounters with a woman that he declared he (and Sophie) could never be friends with - let alone lovers, I presume - based on her status?!? I am all about a “come from different worlds” trope but this one did not cut it. And the last stretch of the book where she cut off all contact for a year...again, just silly, too extreme and very unrealistic. Lastly, I am not sure if the intent was to have some actual parallels to Legally Blonde (e.g. there was a reference to "what, like it's hard?") but, if so, it missed the mark. If not, it confused this reader throughout thinking/waiting for an aha moment. For example, I thought the initial matchmaking of Fraser and Sophie was intended to be the nail salon/UPS worker parallel and clearly that wasn’t the case (guessing it was Mrs. B and Jimmy instead, though I found the Sophie / Fraser piece overlay was too much). 2.5 stars.

A troubled royal gets banished to Scotland to learn a lesson or two on humility.

Alice is obsessed with fairy tales and romance. Once she gets sent to Balmoral she tries to work her magic on not only the housekeeper of the castle, but also the two friends she made along the way. As she is trying play cupid, she ends up falling on one of the arrows and doesn't know what to do.

Overall the story is a fast pace, royal themed rom-com. Any reader who wants a feel good book and to step in someone else's shoes for awhile would enjoy it

Another enjoyable book from Megan Clawson that had me smiling, but also, which I was not expecting, hard hitting topics like dealing with mental illness, feeling that your self worth is tied up in how others see you etc. And this made it all feel quite real.

But mostly, at heart, it is a romance.

Lady Alice Walpole, banished from polite societe - albeit to a castle - deals with all of the above, plus fighting an attraction to a sexy ginger piper.

I enjoyed the setting - though it is absolutely unattainable for any reader lol. I liked Alice's self reflection, her discovery of her own worth, her learning that disposing of those fairweather friends that aren't really friends, and finding true friendship and love.

There were some characters that I utterly adored, and others not so much. I mostly liked Alice and her personal growth through it all.

I hope we get more of these 'royal adjacent' adventures in the future.

3.5🌟 rounded up
🚨🚨🚨🚨WARNING SPOILERS ‼️⚠️‼️⚠️

The main character Lady Alice doesn’t really fit in with her family. she longs for fun and proper conversation. She meets Atticus, and after them being found drunk at a charity event, Alice‘s parents basically banish her to balmoral Scotland where she is to spend summer on a sabbatical. Before she leaves, Atticus stops her and asks her to what she thinks wait for him but he instead asks her to write his speech. Her friend kitty says at the speech he’s probably going to propose as his parents did the same at that event.
She’s not been there long and she meets Sophie the maid and also Fraser the bagpipe player. they form friendships and also try to set up Jimmy and Buchanan Jimmy being the gardener and Buchanan part of the family. Alice also learns about her mother‘s free spirit and raucous nature whilst she was in Balmoral on her honeymoon and visits and wonders why her mother wasn’t kind and free-spirited towards her instead of being cold and harsh. As the date of Atticus’ event draws near Alice invites Atticus and Sophie to learn the bagpipes so they go to loch Muick and they start talking about relationships and Alice mentions Atticus and Fraser says what the guy who hasn’t spoken to you in over a month and then says that she doesn’t know what love is. Alice cycles back to Balmoral hurt. Alice takes one of the horses to the local pub and pays the owner money to take her to Aberdeen where she catches a train back to her home. she quickly writes Atticus’s speech and prepares to see him and be proposed to when she gets there. They tell her she’s not on the guest list so she barges past and sees him proposing to another woman that she’s never met in her life Atticus says that she has higher status and that he will become a prince and that’s all that matters - status. she can’t believe she has to go back to Balmoral and prove to Fraser he was right. Alice leaves the conference after kicking Atticus in the privates. Alice is torn on where to turn now; she can’t face her parents, but also can’t go to London. Then she is spotted by Atticus‘s security who start to chase her so she goes back to Kings Cross Station back to Aberdeenshire.
as she exits the train, she sees Mrs Buchanan she braces for a scolding but Mrs Buchanan simply tells her that Callum called her as soon as he dropped her off and that Fraser has been worried sick about Hamish the horse. Alice feels guilt but also feel safe. mrs Buchanan is gentle to her and Alice asks why she isn’t being angry to which Mrs Buchanan says what you must be feeling as punishment enough she tells her to get dressed and shower and show her face at the Ghillies ball.
Alice thanks Mrs. Buchanan to which she nods in acknowledgement. further on in the story, Fraser and Alice share a kiss however Alice is left guilty as it’s Sophie she’s trying to set him up with not her.
Fraser and Sophie have two weeks holiday. Fraser plans to go to Inverness with his friends, and Sophie plans on staying home with her mum. Fraser invites Alice to Inverness with him. Sophie asks them what their plans are and Alice says about Inverness to which Sophie asks if they’re shagging😂 after Alice clears up that they’re not she invites Sophie along too.
They get to Inverness and that night Fraser takes Alice outside to witness a meteor shower. he confesses his love for her, but Alice still feels guilty about Sophie so lies and says she’s not in love with him. They start an argument as Alice says it was all fake and then she leaves crying to Mrs Buchanan on the phone, Mrs. Buchanan picks her up.
She goes back to Balmoral and after speaking to Mrs. Buchanan and her being more like a mother figure than her mother ever was, Alice decides she needs to return home to work on herself before she can face Sophie and Fraser again.
Her parents are less than pleased at her return however Alice uses this time to create the community centre that Sophie always wanted. After her year home is up, she’s invited to attend the Ghillies ball in Balmoral. She goes back and sees Sophie at the opening of the community Centre she apologises to Sophie and theyre best friends again. She sees Fraser in the crowd however when she goes to find him, he’s disappeared. That night at the ball the king asks Fraser to dance with his great niece Fraser declines. Alice chases Fraser out and begs him to say something to her. He doesn’t understand what’s left to be said to which Alice explained she had to go home to prove to herself she was worthy. She had to work on herself. Fraser is apprehensive at first however they soon rekindle their relationship. Alice goes back to the king and her parents and announces that she’s in love with Fraser bell. The king is more than pleased, her parents couldn’t care less. Alice decides that her worth isnt reflective of her parents attitude towards her. Then the epilogue features Mrs Buchanan marrying Jimmy and this was lovely. Sophie is in a relationship with Fraser sister Eilidh and the four of them attend the wedding. Alice ends the story by saying how her life is complete with Fraser.
I really enjoyed this story. It was very fast paced and an easy read. I wanted to pick up the book and finish the story. I liked how it shed light on important themes like mental health. I like the way in the ending Alice describes that of course she will still feel the effects of her mental health, but now that she has a sturdy background, it will be less and less prominent each time.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity to read this arc.

Lady Alice Walpole has been banished to Balmoral after one too many parties. Piper to the Sovereign Fraser is tasked with waking her every morning, something Alice is not happy about! As her time in Scotland passes, Alice thaws to Fraser and the bagpipes - and realises her life in London is not making her happy. Can she find a way to accept who she is and fulfill her dreams?

I really wasn't sure how this book would go - the third of Megan Clawson's books with a Royal/Commoner romance theme, and I wondered if the idea had been used up, but I really shouldn't have worried, I loved his one! I cried, laughed and related so much to Alice's feelings of insecurity and self doubt. Balmoral was a beautiful setting, Sophie was a wonderful character and I loved Mrs B and Jimmy. This is a wonderful story about family and friendship, and how those things are not always as straightforward as we'd like.

I almost didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did and I felt it was much deeper than one might expect when looking at the cover- but that’s a good thing!
I thought it was a good representation of depression and anxiety and just generally painted an authentic picture of this privileged young lady who wasn’t actually happy and felt incredibly lonely.
I loved Sophie and Fraser and the house keeper and enjoyed the royal elements to the story immensely- would definitely recommend

Had a tough time connecting and empathizing with the FMC, felt like I needed just a bit more to connect with her. I did like the story and idea though.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon book for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Regally Blonde is a fun, light hearted read! If you're looking for a book to escape into, this is a great one! Loved Megan Clawon's writing!

I really enjoyed this story and the different slant it gave to the royal family. The characters were well written and easy to engage with.

Regally Blonde was not the light, funny read I anticipated. Beneath the surface of this love story, are themes of mental health, friendship, and personal growth.

It took me a little while to get fully immersed in the story, as the first characters introduced didn’t feel particularly likable or relatable, which made it hard to connect with. However, things shifted once Alice arrived in Scotland. The setting and her journey brought a new depth to the narrative, and I found myself becoming more invested in the characters and their development. The plot gained momentum as well, though I did find myself using my Kindle’s dictionary now and then to look up some of the Scottish words and expressions—definitely a learning curve, but it added an authentic touch to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to be selected for this ARC! I fell in love with the title and premise of this novel. I love all things Scotland and it sounded so cute!

After her royal life is becoming too much for her parents, Alice is sent away to Balmoral Castle in Scotland where she finds there is more to life than being royal (and finds some romance too).

Immediately I loved Alice! She just felt like such a real character to me and someone I’d definitely want to be friends with. I really appreciated the inclusion of mental health representation throughout the novel.

After she arrives in Scotland, I love how Sophie immediately jumps into action and becomes Alice’s best friend, showing her what true friendship looks like for the first time in her life. She is one of my all time favorite supporting characters.

I loved her relationship with Fraser and how he helped her become a better person. He was so understanding and patient with Alice and I love how he helped her come out of her shell and be the best version of ourselves.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy of this book! 💕

I actually really enjoyed this book. I have always loved Scotland and something about Balmoral just makes my heart soar. Megan Clawson just did it again! I thought the love story was brilliant and organic. So fun and silly.

This was a cute royalty book that had a little bit more drama than I anticipated. I do like the mental illness representation but I was really irritated with the relationships that Alice had with her parents. I really enjoyed the connection with the main characters by the end but the middle with all the drama was not my favorite. I did love sweet Mrs. Buchanan and loved all the touches that made me feel like I was really in Scotland.

From the off I fell in awe of Alice, i knew she was going to be my favourite Royal written by Megan. Her journey of self awareness and new found confidence and lease of life was an absolute joy to read and one I blasted through in 5 hours. I loved watching her budding romance unfold and seeing her friendship with Sophie grow stronger was such an incredible subplot. Alice is a wonderful FMC and I knew Atticus would turn out the way he did - may have laughed out loud at the end of office conference scene. Thank you Avon for sending me an invitation to read and review this third instalment in Megan’s Royal series, I’m so excited to see what she creates next

Megan Clawson is quickly becoming the Queen of Royal Rom-Coms - and I'm all for it! Overall, Legally Blonde was exactly what we've come to love in the way of storytelling by Clawson. The character development of Lady Alice from start to finish was superb - and I loved the supporting cast of characters at Balmoral! The way she addressed trauma and mental health was also sensitively well done.

I can't wait to meet the next royal family troublemaker in her next book!